Opinions please :)

Hi, I am new to this forum, I am a long-time lurker of many of the forums on this website, the information is great! I would like to have some opinions on this IBS problem.

For about five years, I have had problems with this type of stuff. I am usually C, or I go very little each day, and sometimes I do get D at random times. What has really ruined so many things for me is anytime I am anxious or have to go to places like dr. appts, trips, school(I am senior in HS), etc., I have to go. It's like anytime I know I won't have access to a bathroom, I have to go. I try to not worry about having to go, but even trying to not worry about going makes me have to go. Definitely a mind connection in all of this. When I do go during these times, it's usually normal-looking, but I will go, feel like I am finished, but then five minutes later, I have to go again!! These past years have especially made school rough for me. I've had times where I would go about 7 times in about an hour at school(normal stool, not D at all), and I would have to make up different excuses to leave class, like I have an eyelash in my eye or something like that. I also want to add that no matter what I eat(it could just be soup), my stomach bloats up so much! It's very annoying, but is this normal?Well, finally, I recently saw a GI doctor after learning that there are medicines to help this! He thinks it could be IBS, and he prescribed me hyoscyamine(aka Levsin.) First, does this sound like a typical IBS case? Does anyone else experience the problem with having this on your mind all the time, and how it interuppts daily activities like in my case? Also, I have not tried the Levsin, yet. Has anyone had experience with this medicine? Will it help me on school mornings, etc., to make me not have to keep constantly going? Is there a better medicine for my particular case?Thanks for reading this! I look forward to posting and reading more on the forums!!

Bloating is not normal. I have it frequently and mostly when I am not going as well as I should be, however, much of bloating is from swallowing air which anxious people can do easily, also carbonated beverages, gum chewing and I think too much acid causes gas. I have Levsin and it only helps me if I feel like I something is stuck in my gut. I don't take it on a regular basis though so maybe someone else can tell you. As I remember it is not that effective for most people. There are a couple other antispasmotics if that doesn't work.

I am not sure about this I don't have diahrea but going 7 times in an hour sure isn't normal. Part of that can be caused by gas, I think, as only a little comes out each time obviously. Perhaps in the case the Levsin will work as that sounds like spasms.

You should tell your teachers what is going on so that you don't have to make up excuses to leave class. It will be a lot less stressful for you if you can just be honest and go. It sucks, but thats life w/ bowel troubles.

i had terrible diahrea for 10 yrs though it would get better at times.Last Feb.I was dx with IBS. I have learned to eat differently,not fatty greasy foods & NO corn,although a teaspoon doesn't bother me,& I love corn but am better off without it.No cakes,pies cookies.Hey I like not wearing depends.....

Hi papillon, welcome to the forum! Your symptoms sound similar to those of many of our board and hopefully we can help educate you about this illness so you can move on to bigger and better things (like finishing high school - congratulations!). If I were you I would tell certain teachers, or maybe the principal, about the difficulties you've been having with your stomach so they can let you go to the bathroom when necessary. You could probably get a note from your doctor saying this, which would help your cause. It would make things easier for you. I am also in school (quite a bit older, but still have to sit in class all day) and if I didn't have free reign to the bathroom - well, my classmates would be in big trouble. So advocate for yourself and don't be nervous about that! Again, welcome, hope you keep us posted on your progress.